SkyRace
Date
The race is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2026.
In case of bad weather, the race will take place on Sunday. In the event of a postponement, athletes will be advised via email and on site. The race director’s decision is final and may decide to postpone the race, to cancel it or decide on a shorter version. In the event an athlete is unable to race due to postponement, the entry fee will not be reimbursed.
Entries
The AMA VK2 is capped at 200 athletes. The number may vary depending on the conditions on the mountain and the final decision of the race director.
Entries for those who have already completed the Monte Rosa SkyMarathon will open from December 3, 2025.
Entries for those who haven’t yet participated will be open from January 9, 2026 to March 1, 2026.
Excess qualified athletes will be placed on a waiting list and included in case of cancellations.
Entry fees
From January 9 to March 1: €90 per person – entry and race bag
From March 2 to June 1: €100 per person – entry and race bag
Course
MONTE ROSA SKYRACE – 3647m – Individual race
Distance 25 km. Vertical climb 5000m +/-
The route follows the first part of the Monte Rosa SkyMarathon, from Alagna Valsesia, 1,192 m, to Stazione Indren, 3,260 m, passing through Bocchetta delle Pisse, 2,396 m. The route continues to Rifugio Gnifetti, 3,647 m, from where the descent begins, passing Rifugio Città di Mantova, 3,498 m, and Punta Indren, returning via the same route.
The race takes place on mountain trails with challenging uphill and downhill sections, snow-covered sections, glaciers, exposed sections, steep pastures, and scree slopes, in severe weather and environmental conditions, exceeding an altitude of 3,600 m. In addition to the Alagna Valsesia ski area (Piedmont), from Punta Indren the route passes through the Gressoney-La-Trinité area (Aosta Valley).
Excellent physical preparation, mountaineering and altitude experience, knowledge of the terrain’s hazards, and the ability to manage unforeseen circumstances, strong winds, and subzero temperatures are required.
Respect for the environment and solidarity among competitors are among the main requirements.
The route will be marked with flags and colored ribbons/poles. Additional markings may be announced at the briefing and/or on race day. They must be followed on sight before reaching the snowfields and on the exact track in the snowfields and on the ice, under penalty of disqualification.
Athletes
The race is reserved for athletes with mountaineering experience.
Each athlete must fill out a short online CV, under their own responsibility, certifying their previous races and high-altitude experience.
Athletes aged 18 to 70, in possession of a B1 competitive medical certificate, with proven mountaineering and/or ski mountaineering experience, and/or skyrunning races based on their CV, are eligible to participate.
Each athlete’s CV is decisive for admission or exclusion, and applications without a CV will not be considered.
Each runner will be given a bib, which must be visible at all times, and a chip.
At the time checkpoints, the inspector can visually assess whether an athlete is no longer fit to continue the race and decide whether to withdraw. Continuing without a bib is NOT permitted.
Assistance and rescue are managed in collaboration with the National Alpine Rescue Corps and the Guardia di Finanza.
Retirements
In the event that a team decides to abandon the race or is stopped for exceeding the time limit, if able to return independently and without further assistance, they must proceed as follows:
Inform the checkpoint/assistance point along the route, providing their bib number.
Without EVER LEAVING the marked route, keeping their bib number worn and visible, reach the nearest cable car station for the return to Alagna. (Returns by cable car are possible from: Punta Indren 3270m – Bocchetta delle Pisse 2394m – Pianalunga 2028m)
Show your bib number to the staff to access the lifts and obtain directions to Alagna.
Go to the timekeeping station at the finish line and hand in your bib number and microchip.
Equipment
Each athlete is directly responsible for managing their equipment during the race.
At the start in Alagna, it is mandatory to wear:
- Trail running shoes with snow gaiters
- Thermal socks
- Long tights
- Long-sleeved technical shirt
- Sunglasses
- Gloves
- Head gear
- Harness
- ARTVA turned on
In the backpack it is compulsory to have:
- Windproof jacket with hood
- Micro-crampons
- Via Ferrata kit
- Poles
- Helmet
- Thermal blanket
- 1-liter water bottle/backpack
- Windproof overpants
The use of micro-crampons and a helmet from Alagna will be indicated at the briefing based on snow conditions.
It will not be possible to collect or leave any equipment at Punta Indren, nor to receive it from external aid.
Your backpack must contain windproof pants, a long-sleeved jacket, a thermal blanket, and a 1-liter water bottle/backpack.
Ski poles must be used throughout the race.
Equipment checks will be conducted at the start, at the Indren Station, and at the finish. Inspectors have the right to inspect equipment at any time during the race.
Improper use of equipment and any behavior that jeopardizes the safety of the athlete or other competitors will result in disqualification.
Programme
Friday June 12, 2026
10:00 – Palazzetto dello Sport
Race office opening
Registration, bib and race bag pick up
18:00 – Palazzetto dello Sport
Compulsory briefing for Monte Rosa SkyRace
19:00 – Palazzetto dello Sport
Race office closure
Saturday June 13, 2026
6:00 – Palazzetto dello Sport
Monte Rosa SkyRace start
8:45 – Piazza Grober
Arrival of first athletes Monte Rosa SkyRace
Podium ceremony after top three men and women
15:00 – Piazza Grober
Prize giving ceremony
Cut-off times
There are four cut-off points
- Bocchetta delle Pisse 2396: 2h30′
- Punta Indren: 3h30’
- Rifugio Gnifetti: 5h
- Overall time limit: 8h
If stopped at a cut-off it is NOT permitted to continue even without bib.
Evacuation plan
In case of unexpected bad weather or incidents, all teams may be stopped at any point of the course. Athletes must go back to the start either on the race course or via huts and cable car.
Aid stations
Two aid stations will be set up along the course with liquid and solid supplies:
- Bocchetta delle Pisse (2,396m)
- Punta Indren (3,260m)
External aids are allowed only at aid stations and can include only food and beverages, not equipment.
Race results
Two results categories are recognised: overall MALE and overall FEMALE.
If the cut-off times are not met, the bib must be removed and it’s not possible to continue.
The time at the highest point reached will be registered in the final race results.
In case of deteriorating weather conditions during the race, the race director may decide to turn the race around. All competitors must immediately return to the finish line in Alagna. Also in this case, the results will be based on the highest point reached.
Prizes
Cash prizes will be announced as soon as possible.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three men and top three women.
Responsibility and insurance
Race entry signifies the unconditional acceptance of the regulations as set out by the Race Director.
Personal insurance is mandatory.
Athletes without a federal license insurance that do not include this type of race are obliged to take out a license for insurance.
Athletes must check if their insurance includes this type of race.
Athletes without a federal license insurance that do not include this type of race are obliged to take out a license for insurance. Athletes must check if their insurance includes this type of race. An option for foreign athletes can be found here.
The Race Committee declines any responsibility for eventual accidents caused by athletes’ conduct not conforming to the regulations or to third parties on the course for whatever reason or for others including spectators on or off the course.
Course certification
Monte Rosa SkyRace® received the Certified Course Label by the International Skyrunning Federation and is listed among the 2025 Certified Courses.
This SkyMarathon is one of the most technical certified by the ISF, reaching technical level 3+.
Parameters take into account for the technical evaluation are:
- Average incline
- Altitude
- Distance
- Terrain
- Vertical climb
- Technical features and/or use of specific equipment
